Larsson, Adebayor, Joaquin: 14 forgotten footballers who are still playing right now
They say a career as a footballer is always a short one, and they’re absolutely right. Even those who manage to find supreme levels of longevity to their game are usually done by their mid-thirties, while some look ready to hang up the boots as soon as they enter their thirties altogether. It’s difficult to leave behind what is such a difficult industry to make a career out of, though, and with sports science constantly developing, some of the world’s best are now extending their careers at the top to freakish stints. You only have to look at the influence of a 39-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic at AC Milan, who has just lifted the Serie A title with the Rossoneri. Or at the timeless Real Madrid duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who, at 36 and 32 respectively, were able to dominate in last season’s Champions League and carry Real Madrid to their 14th title. And then we have to talk about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Ronaldo, now 37, has just returned to Manchester United and put together a 24 goal season in all competitions, while Messi is still operating at his equally superhuman levels aged 35. But while there is that elite group who continue to defy the odds, there are also the players that were once prominent within the top leagues or famous for their exploits elsewhere, but have since fallen away from the limelight completely. LISBON, PORTUGAL – JUNE 05: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 2 match between Portugal and Switzerland at Estadio Jose Alvalade on June 05, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) As a result, we simply forget about them, assuming the players we once had a solid memory of have merely slipped into quiet retirement. And while many are happy to do that, there is a select group of footballers who were once big names, that are still plying their trade to absolutely nobody’s knowledge. Well, most people’s knowledge, of course. The following 14 footballers were once rabidly well known but, in their later years, have actually continued playing while going completely under the radar. Some of the names are huge. Let’s take a look. 14. Kazuyoshi Miura – Suzuka Point Getters (on loan from Yokohama FC) A name that creeps onto social media a few times a year, Miura has often gained virality for being one of the oldest active professional footballers in the world, and usually makes a few headlines when he extends his contract at Yokohama year after year. Now 55, he very rarely features with regularity, but the fact he’s actually still playing professionally at all is incredible. Chelsea in pursuit of Ronaldo, Neymar (Football Terrace) 13. Yuri Zhirkov – Free agent Remembered best for his time at Chelsea from 2009 to 2011 among English fans, Zhirkov also enjoyed his best years at CSKA Moscow before his move to Stamford Bridge. Zhirkov has been capped over 100 times for Russia and despite being 38, is still turning out as a professional. He has just left Russian outfit Khimki and is looking for a new club ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 01: Yury Zhirkov in action during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Spain and Russia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 1, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) 12. Maarten Stekelenburg – Ajax Not only is Stekelenburg still at a top club in Ajax, he holds the number one shirt, aged 39. The iconic Dutch goalkeeper enjoyed a solid spell with Ajax in the 2000s and moved to Roma in 2011, but has also turned out for Fulham, Southampton, Everton and Monaco as well as being capped 63 times by the Netherlands. Stekelenburg actually made eight appearances last season, too, which is absurd. 11. Jo – Free agent A third spell at Corinthians has just come to an end for 35-year-old Jo, who is now a free agent and looking for his next move with retirement not yet on the horizon. The Brazilian winger has been completely forgotten about since his 2008 signing for Manchester City and the loans to Everton that followed. Jo was lost in the shuffle amid City’s takeover and did not manage to make it stick in Europe. MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 02: Manchester City football club’s new GBP 18 million signing Jo poses for photographers on July 2, 2008, Manchester, England.
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